APHEIT Journal of Nursing and Health

Circulating Tumor DNA Screening for Targeted Therapy

ฤชุตา โมเหล็ก, ธวชินี ภาคสินธุ์, ชุมอรรจน์ พันธุเณร, พงศ์ธารา วิจิตเวชไพศาล — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 06:52:18 SE Asia Daylight Time

Circulating tumor DNA screening involves the analysis of tumor-derived DNA fragments that circulate in the bloodstream. By meticulously sequencing and scrutinizing this DNA, cancer specialists can uncover mutations and this technique have propelled it as a promising avenue for detecting genetic anomalies in cancer patients, while also serving as an approach to targeted therapy. Furthermore, there is potential for detecting residual diseases at a very minimal level, monitoring recurrence, and tracking the progression of cancer from its early stages. It assists medical practitioners in tailoring treatment strategies on time, provides reliable test outcomes for pre- and post-treatment, and facilitates more rapid assessment of treatment efficacy. Nevertheless, this screening test still faces limitations concerning sensitivity and testing standards, necessitating further development.

This article aimed to equip nurses with comprehensive insights into the realm of bloodstream tumor DNA screening, enable them to fulfill a role as educator and caregiver for accurate understanding of the patients, as well as promote and support patient participation in informed treatment planning decisions.

The Effects of Repeated Practice in High Fidelity Patient Simulation on Self Confidence and Clinical Judgment among Nursing Students

ขัตติยาพร คนเที่ยง, วโรดม เสมอเชื้อ, ปรมาภรณ์ นิรมล, จิรณัฐ ชัยชนะ — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 06:18:14 SE Asia Daylight Time

This quasi-experimental study aimed to compare pretest and posttest of self-confidence and clinical judgment among nursing students when doing repeated practice in high fidelity patient simulation. The 4^th year nursing students were recruited into an experimental and control group using matched pairs, 36 students per group. The research instruments comprised self confidence in learning questionnaire and the clinical judgment questionnaire with equal content validity index and reliability (1.00 and 0.95, respectively). Data were analyzed using descriptive, Man-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon signed rank test.

The results revealed that after doing repeated practice in high fidelity patient simulation, the median scores of self-confidence and clinical judgment of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group (Z -2.51, p .006; Z -4.84, p .000, respectively), and significantly higher than that of the before (Z -4.82, p.000; Z -4.67, p .000, respectively). It might be concluded that the effect of continuously using repeated practice in high fidelity patient simulation program is important to help nursing students gain the self-confidence and clinical judgment in nursing, in which educational institutes can be applied in learning and teaching methods.

The Comparison of Health Literacy among Female and Male Elderly Living in Community

วิมลรัตน์ บุญเสถียร, อรทัย เหรียญทิพยะสกุล — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 16:05:19 SE Asia Daylight Time

This cross-sectional comparative descriptive study aimed to investigate and compare health literacy of female and male elderly living in community, Pathum Thani province. The 298 older adults—living in community at least 6 months, without dementia, and willing participation in the study—were randomly selected by multi-stage cluster sampling method. The instruments included personal data and health literacy questionnaire. Data were collected by interview at home or at a convenient place for the participants. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U test. The findings revealed that over a half of female and male elderly showed inadequate health literacy (52.35% และ 53.02%, respectively). There were statistically significant differences between females’ and males’ health literacy at the fundamental level (Z = -2.242, p .025) and critical level (Z = -2.102, p .036). At fundamental level, the male elderly had higher mean score than females, on the other hand, the females presented higher mean scores than males at critical health literacy level.

These research findings might help healthcare professionals understand the diffence of health literacy among female and male elderly and enable them to plan self-care recommendations or develope projects for enhancing gender-specific health literacy among the elderly appropriately.

Health Promoting Behaviors of Students at Rangsit University

นิภา กิมสูงเนิน, โกสุม เศรษฐาวงศ์, ปราณี บุญญา, จุฬา ยันตพร, นงนุช เดชจบ — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 03:49:37 SE Asia Daylight Time

This research aimed to investigate and compare health-promoting behaviors among students with varying personal factors, and examine the correlation between behavioral-specific cognitions and affect factors and health-promoting behaviors of Rangsit University students. The samples comprised 438 first to fourth year students from the academic year 2021 (2564 B.E.). Data collection involved a questionnaire with three sections: 1) personal factors, 2) health-promoting behaviors, and 3) behavioral-specific cognitions and affect factors, including perceived benefits, perceived barriers, perceived self-efficacy, interpersonal influences, and situational influences. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient.

The research findings revealed that sum- and sub-scale of students’ health-promoting behaviors were at a moderate level, with low levels observed in risky sexual behavior and tobacco and alcohol consumption. Students with different sex, academic year levels, faculties of study, and maternal education levels showed statistically significant differences in health-promoting behaviors. Factors such as perceived benefits, perceived self-efficacy, and interpersonal influences have statistically significant positive correlations with health-promoting behaviors, whereas perceived barriers presented negatively correlate with health-promoting behaviors. This study highlights the need for tailored health-promoting activities or programs that consider gender, faculty, and academic year; additionally activity design should be regarded students' behavioral-specific cognitions and affect factors.